Volume 1

Flora historica: or the three seasons of the British parterre historically and botanically treated; with observations on planting. To secure a regular succession of flowers, from the commencement of spring to the end of autumn. To which are added, the most approved methods of cultivating bulbous and other plants, as practised by the most celebrated florists of England, Holland, and France / [Henry Phillips].

  • Phillips, Henry, 1775-1838.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Flora historica: or the three seasons of the British parterre historically and botanically treated; with observations on planting. To secure a regular succession of flowers, from the commencement of spring to the end of autumn. To which are added, the most approved methods of cultivating bulbous and other plants, as practised by the most celebrated florists of England, Holland, and France / [Henry Phillips]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    150/416 (page 94)
    The flowers of the Cowslip are also frequently mixed with tea, to give it a flavour, and some¬ times used alone in infusion, as they are thought to possess antispasmodic and anodyne qualities, and to be also mildly corroborant. Cowslips were formerly esteemed good for pains in the joints and sinews, palsy, and were therefore called Arthritic as and Her bee Para¬ lysis by medical writers, for the same reason they were called Palsy-worts in English, and dHerbe d Paralysie by the French. The French peasants call this flower, Fleur de coucou, from its bloom- ing at the same time when the cuckow begins to sing, but its general name in that country is Primer ere and. Primerole. The name of Cowslip seems to have origin¬ ated from the Saxon word cuslippe, which is thought to have originated from the resem¬ blance which the perfume of these flowers have to the breath of a cow, or from its being so closely pressed away by the lip of the cow in the pastures, where it is considered an injurious weed that occupies a space which clover or other nutritious plants should fill. Silk worms will feed upon the leaves of the Cowslip, but their silk is of no value unless they are supplied with the leaves of the mul¬ berry tree.